2002 325IX wagon or MB E320 4matic wagon?
 

I drive a 87 318Ti with a DASC and I do enjoy the car but I also do a regular 315 mile drive throughout the year and I am looking for an ALL WHEEL DRIVE vehicle which has good highway manners and gets fair to good MPG,
I dont want primary front or rear wheel drive, I want all wheel drive all the time,
I have a 1997 Discovery which is great, But at something like 12 to 14 MPG and short wheel base and high center of gravity I have no interest in driving it all those miles,
SO
After much looking I am thinking of a 2002 BMW 325IX wagon with about 130 miles on it, But asking price is high at 9K, I think its a 6K car,
OR a 2002 Mercedes E320 4Matic all wheel drive wagon, also with about 130K miles but about 4K
Both of these wagons are said to get about 26 MPH highway of driven pretty nice, I drive at 75 on cruise control, So I view that as nice,
The MB has more power and it seems as though replacement parts are about the same price for regular maintenance and upkeep,
Both are good for high miles if taken care of, I like the BMWs looks and I like that the MB is a bit bigger and has more power,
They both have 3 open diffs so neither has a limited slip or locking anything, Both use the antilock brake system to distribute power when the roads are slippery,
WHats your opinion on these two station wagons?
Peter

The most expensive car in the world is a cheap Mercedes and nothing is smoother than a BMW 6

I own a 323 wagon and I probably always will. The E46 is simple to work on and pretty cheap to own. The E46 wagon is down on power (but still faster than a ti), a problem only highlighted more when you throw AWD into the mix. You will want to check the status of the rear sub frame floor in the E46 before you purchase.

I say go BMW... but I am bias... along with the rest of this forum ;)

What am I looking for in the rear sub frame floor?
Can you be more detailed please,
~ ~ ~
I dont need fast, Just something that will cruise at 75 to 80 all day, Get 25 MPG and be all wheel drive for the days when the drive is in less than desirable conditions,
What else goes bad with the 315XI wagons?

There was a class action lawsuit which BMW settled for all E46 models regarding the floor above the rear sub frame. The floor cracked around the studs holding in the 2 rear points of the sub frame. Not all cars had the issue but many were fixed by BMW as a result of the lawsuit. Call your local dealer with the VIN and they will be able to tell you if the car was inspected for the failure and if it was repaired. Expect typical BMW issues... window regulators, cooling system, and power steering hoses. If you can, find out if the the evaporator has been done. Evaps are a pretty common E46 issue and require a dash removal for replacement.

I went and looked at the 2002 BMW 325XI today that they were asking $8900 for,
Well, There is a bearing squealing under the hood, I suspect the AC compressor bearings.
Rust one one rear wheel opening and rust on the bottom os all 4 doors, Someone even went thru and carefully sprayed undercoating to mask the poor condition,
The used car dealer said the car was perfect and there is not a thing wrong,
The car was a detailed hunk of dung, I would think the doors were good for a year or two before they were rusted thru the entire length,
Yup I drove away fast.
I really hate it when a used car dealer tries to pull the sheet over someone eyes,
Someone less expirenced than me will buy that wagon and get ripped off with a rust bucked needing an AC compressor and two tired too!
Ugh,
Ill keep looking,
Peter

Keep looking for the right e46, I wouldn't by a Mercedes either

I currently have both wagons and I find the mercedes to be more reliable and easier maintained. Both have around 140k. But to each his own. Whichever you choose I am sure you have no disappointments. 👍


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I'll sell you my wagon :p

Came to my senses and bought this 5 series wagon,
The 318 DASC Ti is happy to not have Highway duty any more,